HC Deb 26 November 1958 vol 596 cc344-5
13. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now re-examine the necessity for German refugees who arrive in Western Berlin and the Federal Republic being subjected to interrogation by the Intelligence Service of the Western Allies before being passed on to the West German authorities.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The Western Allies screen refugees on their arrival in West Berlin in order to establish their bona fides. This is essential if the Western Powers are to maintain their responsibility for the security of Berlin. The Western Allies do not screen refugees arriving in the Federal Republic.

Mr. Hynd

If it is not necessary in the Federal Republic, will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear why the situation is different in West Berlin? If it is a matter of security, surely it is clear that anyone who has come over for any underhand purpose would come not through Berlin but over the green frontier where there is no check? Is not it necessary to end this "cloak and dagger" atmosphere in which these unfortunates are received in the free democracy of the West and let the German authorities or the Berlin authorities look after the security side?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The difference is that the three Powers have certain responsibilities regarding security in Berlin. They do not have those responsibilities for the whole of Federal Germany. It is, therefore, up to the Federal German authorities to make their own check of these refugees who come in over this border. It is still a responsibility of the three Powers to make a check of refugees coming over the border in Berlin.

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